Our Fun Family

Type 2 Diabetes - An Inconvenient Journey

2019-04-08T11:26:00.000-05:00

I wish I wasn't the type of person that needed to get hit in the head with a 2x4 before I take action. I really do want to be the type of person who heeds the warning signs that appear when someone else is walking through a challenge and is able to apply them to my own life. I am 44 years old and I have a literal lifetime of warning signs, sounds, flags, banners, smoke signals and

2016 HCBC GO Haiti 1 - It's All About Perspective

2016-06-21T10:01:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had an older friend, someone who is wise, someone who has a lovely heart, someone who tells amazing stories, someone who greets every new friend with a warm hug? Have you ever had the opportunity to introduce someone new to this old friend? You kind of get a little giddy just thinking about the ways your new friend will respond to this older friend of yours. You

Ready for Launch!!

2016-05-30T22:18:00.000-05:00

I have asked myself several times over the last few months what the heck I was thinking. Back in January, I said "yes" to the Global Outreach office at our church. Yes meant that I was willing to lead a short-term mission trip to Mission of Hope Haiti. At the time, I envisioned a father/daughter mission trip. I pictured 8-10 dads and their girls, ranging from elementary to high school ages. I

Grace and Sean Heading to Haiti!

2016-05-17T11:43:00.000-05:00

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” This verse from 1 Corinthians 11:1 seems simple enough. It’s a calling that says that each of us are capable of leading another, as long as our focus is the example that Christ set. I can think of no clearer calling for a parent than to set an example for their children in the way that we want them to grow. Grace and I have

A Grand Legacy

2014-03-05T08:31:00.000-06:00

On February 28th, our family lost a crown jewel when Granny Jean passed away. I don't know many people that get to live to 39 and still have grandparents here on Earth, for that I count myself blessed. Granny Jean was a walking, talking, living personification of southern hospitality. My greatest memories of her from my youth will always be centered around her kitchen table. It

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2013-12-24T13:53:00.000-06:00

I suppose it is normal for the days and weeks to pass more quickly as we get older. There are so many more times now that I wish I could push the pause button and just enjoy the now. It seems like when you are a kid, you are always anxiously awaiting the next major milestone or event. You can't wait for Christmas, you can't wait for Spring Break, you can't wait for that first

Serendipity in Proctor, OK

2013-07-22T12:18:00.001-05:00

If you have known me for very long, and if you read this blog then I assume you have, then you know that I have a strong connection to my late grandfather, Pa. I am continually fascinated and inspired by the legacy and life left by John Elder Parker. The fact that there are 3 generations of boys and men in our family named in his honor pays tribute to the strength of his legacy.

Reflections on my 20 Year High School Reunion

2013-07-01T16:08:00.001-05:00

This past weekend, Brenda and I traveled to Houston to attend my 20 Year reunion. With a big, family vacation coming up, we took this opportunity to enjoy a kid-free weekend. It has been far too long since Brenda and I took such a trip. With our reunion planned as a single event on Saturday evening, we used the remainder of the weekend to reunite with other friends that we wouldn’t see at the

Welcome, Amelia!

2013-05-21T14:49:00.000-05:00

Over the last 5 years or so, we have thoroughly enjoyed the use of an Outback travel trailer. For the first couple of years, we borrowed it from one of the founders of a company I used to work for. We actually used it more than the owners did and a few years ago purchased the trailer for our family. We have used it for tailgate parties, camping, and trips to Gramma and Grampa’s house.

Camping with a Bug, a Hailey Bug

2013-04-15T10:15:00.003-05:00

Last November, our church hosted a Father/Daughter camping weekend at Camp Penial. When I was registering for that trip with the church I decided that it should be for Grace and I. I wasn't sure that there would be much for Hailey to do, since she was only 3. All in all, it was the right choice. Grace and I had a blast, and it was a special weekend for just her and

Springing into Gardening

2013-04-08T08:28:00.000-05:00

I am sure it comes as no surprise that I like to make fresh salsas. I have several recipes that I make on a fairly regular basis. One of my favorites is a tomatillo salsa, another is a smoked tomato salsa. And summertime is a natural time to make salsas, I use them for tacos (breakfast and dinner), as a salad dressing, or as a sandwich spread. The fresh produce I use to

Happy New Year!!

2013-01-07T16:08:00.000-06:00

It seems quite natural to spend time during the holidays reflecting on the year, and of course the New Year brings new resolutions for our future. I don't typically make a list of wishes or tasks that I am going to do (or give up) in the coming year, I am one of those people who is more likely to start the clock to see how long it takes for me to cave in on my new resolutions.

Pigs in a Blanket with Gram

2012-11-06T12:08:00.001-06:00

It’s no secret that we like to do a lot of cooking in our house. What can I say, we like to eat! One thing that I am a little sad about is that I have not been very good about keeping the girls in the kitchen with me lately. We get so busy, and I get in such a rush, that it is just easier to not have them underfoot. Or, it’s the rare time when Brenda and I are able to talk

Daddy and Daughter Stuff that Mom Wouldn’t Approve Of

2012-11-05T17:28:00.001-06:00

This past weekend, the Men’s Ministry from our church, Hill Country Bible Church – Austin, sponsored the first of 2 weekends that make up the annual Father Daughter Camp Out. I have been looking forward to Grace reaching the right age for this opportunity and we were both really excited to go this year. Camp Peniel, in nearby Marble Falls was our host as somewhere around 230-250 men

Off to School!

2012-08-30T10:49:00.001-05:00

We had a busy summer and are settling back into the routine of school. Grace started back to school as a first grader this week, and Hailey started at Round Rock Christian Academy in their 3 day per week preschool. The last couple of weeks have been all about meeting teachers, getting the first day outfits ready, getting school supplies labeled and coordinating backpacks and

Birthday Bug

2012-04-16T08:50:00.001-05:00

She is her daddy’s Sweet Pea, her Gram and Momma’s Lady Bug, and her Grandma’s littlest Dolly. She is our girlie girl, with eyes for sparkly shoes, jeweled sunglasses and bright colored earrings. She is up for playing in the sandbox, as long as she can wear her party dress and a tiara. She loves Elmo, the Little People and all things Minnie Mouse. She is anxious to start

On Mission in Haiti–Catching a Vision

2012-04-11T17:33:00.001-05:00

To be able to glimpse into the future envisioned by Mission of Hope, you have to start by understanding the vision, resolutions and principle tenets that they have adopted. I am going to paraphrase it here for the purpose of context for my trip to Haiti, but if you would like to read more about MOH and their vision, you can see it here: Mission of Hope Haiti - Vision and Resolution Their

Haiti Mission Trip – Travel and Arrival at Mission of Hope

2012-04-08T21:57:00.001-05:00

I had the chance to join 7 other men from my church on a mission trip Haiti. Our church has a fantastic relationship with Mission of Hope, an organization that has been doing some amazing work in Haiti for many, many years. Since the earthquake in January of 2010, the vision for Mission of Hope has expanded greatly, and the answer from the executive team down to the hard working

Going on Mission in Haiti March 31st–April 5th

2012-02-18T12:13:00.001-06:00

On January 12, 2010 an earthquake literally shook an entire nation to pieces. The outpour of support, aid and assistance from all over the world has been awe-inspiring, but 2 years later, the Haitian people are still rebuilding. While buildings and man-made creations remain scarred and damaged, the true foundation, the spirit of the Haitians is stronger today than ever. Over the

Cornish Family Halloween Fun

2011-10-31T21:53:00.001-05:00

Pumpkin decorating, Sesame Street friends, Shamu and friends, and trick or treating in the neighborhood. That pretty well sums up our Halloween family weekend. Gram and Grandad took the girls to the pumpkin patch earlier this week. They each came home with little bitty pumpkins to decorate. The intense focus they had as they colored on their pumpkins absolutely cracks me

Whoa, amnesty post needed

2011-09-18T21:42:00.003-05:00

Goodness gracious! It has been forever since I updated this blog. What a fun and busy summer this turned out to be. Let me recount some of the highlights since my last posting... let's see, 4th of July in Tyler with a family fireworks display and blueberries; a second trip to Sea World (my girls are still talking about it); Grace started kindergarten; Grace turned 5; we became a

Family Summer Vacation to San Antonio

2011-06-18T16:38:00.000-05:00

Like 99% of Americans, the family dollar isn't stretching as far as we would like. And with 2 toddlers, the name of the game is lots of bang, lots of options for a quick change of plans and as little money as possible. We are very blessed to be centrally located in Texas. Last summer we camped near Houston, so we could take advantage of the zoo and children's museum all

Genealogy Search on Ancestry.com

2011-04-15T14:05:00.002-05:00

My cousin Suzanne got me thinking about my family heritage sometime last year. As we began re-connecting and acquainting ourselves and our families, a common bond was certainly our shared legacy and family history. She has done some wonderful and extensive work on Ancestry.com, tracing our Cornish family back to the earliest days of America at Plymouth. With the passing of my

A day in the Tulsa Parks

2011-04-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

Because the trip to Tulsa was such a long drive with the girls in the truck, it was important to us to have a few days to spend in Tulsa. The last thing I wanted to do was pack up the girls for a 8-9 hour drive up there, go to Mema's funeral and then just turn around and head home. The extra day or so before and after the funeral gave us a chance to drive around, see some of the old

Mema's Dollies - A Eulogy for Lahoma Parker

2011-04-08T21:17:00.000-05:00